Manchester United boss José Mourinho has decided to block a move from Inter Milan for right-back Matteo Darmian, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.
The 26-year-old had barely featured for United this season, with Antonio Valencia usurping him as the Reds’ first-choice right-back and the Italian international’s representatives had reportedly been given the green light to find him another club in January.
Inter’s new Chinese owners had earmarked him as a top transfer target in January as they aim to make their way back to the top of Italian football and it seemed that an agreement was not far away from being a reality.
However, with the Ecuadorian now ruled out for the next six weeks with a fractured arm, Darmian has come back into Mourinho’s plans with the versatile full-back playing the full 90 minutes as United drew 0-0 with Burnley at the weekend.
The Serie A side had been keen on signing Darmian on loan, with a future fee between €13-15 million mooted should he make a certain number of appearances for the Nerazzurri and Inter have not given up hope of working out a deal with United despite this latest setback.
But United want more for Darmian, with the Red Devils valuing the 26-year-old at around €20-22 million. With recent developments, it is even less likely that Mourinho would even want to dispense with the Italian international’s services.
